'Oxygen Supply Still Doesn't Meet State's Requirements' : Karnataka HC Seeks Data On Procurement

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar issued the direction after the state government informed the court that the Government of India has allocated 1015 MT LMO to Karnataka and the actual supplies are about 850-950 MT per day over the last few days. Further as per a letter addressed on May 15, it is requested allocation of 1396 MT of Oxygen, based on the projection that active COVID-19 cases may reach 6 lakhs.

The bench in its order said "Still the supply of oxygen does not meet the requirements of the state. The figures of May 17 and May 18, indicate that the state government has not procured the entire quota allotted. Though the order of the Supreme Court dated April 30, directs creating buffer stock in each district, still there is no compliance of the same."

Orally the bench said "Ultimately we want to know whether you are getting the required quantity of oxygen." The court also asked the state government to place on record district wise data of buffer stock of oxygen created as directed by the apex court on the next date of hearing.

Earlier, the High Court had directed the Centre to increase the oxygen allocation to 1200 MT, from 865 MT, taking note of the tragic incidents of COVID patients dying in hospitals due to oxygen shortage. The Centre approached the Supreme Court against the High Court order. However, the Supreme Court upheld the high court direction observing that it was a "well-calibrated, careful and judicious order".